Ben Slaughter

I grew up on Vashon Island, Washington, a short ferry ride from Seattle. I had the opportunity to engage with multiple sports in both competitive and more relaxed settings, where I also started my journey in youth-development-through-sports as a middle school basketball coach during my senior year.

While on a year-long exchange program in Argentina, I started playing rugby and continued to play at Colorado College (Go Tigers!). This led to playing in Brazil and eventually in NYC.

I joined the Play Rugby USA team in 2010 as a member of Americorps. From 2012 through 2016, I participated in the Up2Us sponsored, Coach Across America program, where I managed the Junior Sports Leadership Academy at PS 75 on the Upper West Side. At the same time, I created the High School Academy programming for Play Rugby in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.

Through my new company, BeneFit Sports, I coordinate the Play Neighborhood for Camp Twelve Trails. BeneFit Sports also facilitates sports, fitness, and after-school programming for schools and organizations throughout New York City.

I currently reside in Brooklyn with my wife and two children.